Lawyer Accuses Tantita Security, Esimaje Awani of Rights Abuses, Others

A prominent legal practitioner and Chairman of the Campaign Against Stockpiling of Firearms by Private Actors (CASAP), Chief Ariyo Robinson Esq., has called for an urgent investigation into the activities of Tantita Security Services Limited following serious allegations of illegal gun running, land grabbing, and human rights violations.

Tantita Security Services Limited, a private security company, headed by former Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly knowns as Tompolo was contracted by the federal government to provide security services in the protection of oil pipeline installations in the region.

In a statement obtained by Warri Sentinel News just ahead of a press conference on Tuesday, Ariyo described the situation as a “mayday” alert, warning that the activities of private security firms like Tantita pose a severe threat to both national security and regional peace. He raised concerns that the unchecked stockpiling of firearms by private security companies could destabilise not just Nigeria, but the broader West African region.

Ariyo also accused Tantita Security of being behind a series of violent attacks that took place between November 29 and December 3, 2024, targeting Itsekiri communities in Warri North and South Local Government Areas. The attacks reportedly affected several areas, including Tisun, Usor, Kolo-Kolo creeks, and Aja-Jelebe, and left residents subjected to physical and sexual violence, along with the theft of property.

The Warri-based legal practitioner further alleged that Tantita used illegal firearms not only to intimidate local communities but also to threaten multinational corporations operating in the region.

Meanwhile, the press conference planned for the Warri Township Stadium was disrupted when Esimaje Awani, a former chairmanship aspirant for Warri-South Local Government under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and his associate, David Odeli, arrived with a group of thugs. They attempted to stop the event, citing personal interests.

According to our correspondent who was at the scene, Ariyo was forced to relocate the press conference to a hotel in Ekpan, Delta State, where he continued to stress the need for justice for the victims of Tantita’s alleged attacks. However, as the event was about to begin at the new venue, he was informed that the hotel management had received external pressure to cancel the conference. He claimed that these external forces were attempting to prevent him from speaking out about Tantita’s alleged activities.

In a video later shared on his Facebook page, Ariyo further accused Awani, Odeli, and their associates of causing chaos at the hotel, where tensions escalated. He claimed Awani had in a phone call before the day of the event requested the conference be cancelled but the Warri-based lawyer declined stressing his commitment to expose the alleged abuses linked to Tantita Security.

Ariyo is now calling on the federal government, specifically the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to investigate both the proliferation of firearms by Tantita Security and the alleged involvement of mobile police officers attached to Esimaje Awani. He also demands a full inquiry into the violence and human rights abuses reportedly associated with Tantita and its affiliates.

At the time of publication, there has been no official response from either Tantita Security Services or Tompolo regarding the allegations.

Attempts to reach Awani and Odeli were unsuccessful as calls from Warri Sentinel News were repeatedly declined.